NJ_Bowhntr, how many times did we go back and forth on this stand issue last summer and early fall? I lost count. What we can agree on, is we' ll never see eye to eye on this issue. Placing a stand on public land in attempts to claim an area is wrong, period! No one should have to feel pressured not to hunt a piece of public property just because someone else decided to place a stand in that area. You complain in one response that public land in Salem Co. is so crowded, but then say there' s no need to crowd a stand because there is probably a place just as good, if not better, not far away. Im sorry, I cant agree with the latter. I dont condone squawting on someone elses stand, causing damage to other people' s property or shadowing other hunters, but I refuse to rule out hunting a public piece of land just because someone else decides to place a stand in the area. That type of behavior is appropriate for private land or land that is leased, not public property. The only way to make things fair and fun for all, is make hunting stands and blinds carry in, carry out only.

Climbing stand technology is getting better by the year and just as affordable as hang ons and ladders. Ground blinds are becoming cheaper, lighter, quicker and quieter to set up and take down. Its the way to go and to be fair for all.

If WMAs were Carry In, Carry Out only and I approached an area to see someone else there, I know I was beaten to the spot, leave for another destination and know maybe next time I' ll be try and get there a little earlier. If I set up in a spot, im the 1st one there and have some clown show up 10 mins before shooting time and give me a raft of crap because he/she set up a ladder a month ago 50 yds away and feels I should move,,,,, F Them. They have no right to force me out or ruin my hunting experiance and have no right to accuse me of ruining theirs.

NJ, I know your werent being a wise guy about suggesting I hunt in another state if I' m frustrated with NJ. Believe me, I do. I was so against the way DE restricted hunter movement on WMAs when I 1st moved here, but now I find those hunts so much more enjoyable than those in my home state of NJ. But make no mistake, I won' t leave and stop hunting places I grew up on just because more and more people have decided to try and lay stakes to public land that are meant for all. And as you will continue to voice your views to people in support of the status quo, I will speak just as loud and hard for a change, which I truely feel will enhance hunting opportunity and enjoyment for all.

If you hunt Turkeys in Cumberland and Salem Co., maybe i' ll see you out there in a few weeks. If not, have a good summer and hit those deer hard in the fall!

Scott